“I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding”
- Jeremiah 3:15
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Special thanks to our writers: Matthew Landis
Deanzer Roberts
Christopher Williams, also for contributing photographs
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LARGER THAN LIFE: A Tribute by Rev. Charles Jason Gordon, Archbishop of Port of Spain
14 FROM PULPIT TO PEOPLE: Celebrating Monsignor Blackett’s Golden Jubilee
18 THE EARLY YEARS: From Indian Ground to Sacred Ground
22 CULTURE, CROP OVER & HERITAGE
36 FAITH BEYOND BOUNDARIES: A Tribute to Monsignor by the Division of Culture
Special thanks to our writers:
48 50 YEARS OF SERVICE
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City
Monsignor Vincent Harcourt Blackett: celeBrating 50 Years of faitHful serVice
Fifty years of dedicated service is a milestone truly worth celebrating. Today, we pause to reflect on the many ways the man, the priest, the Monsignor has touched our lives or the lives of those we love, because that is what priests do, they touch lives through their deep connection with the Divine.
Consider Barbados and indeed the world fifty years ago. It was a very different place. Barbados was newly independent yet still bearing the wounds and residual structures of slavery and the plantation system. It is into this context that stepped a young Fr. Harcourt (as he is affectionately called) who boldly touched the raw nerve of Barbadian society. With the light of the Gospel, he exposed the race and class prejudices that were quietly accepted, both locally and globally.
As is almost always the case, those who dare to shed light on what is uncomfortable often pay a price. And yet, Fr. Harcourt stood firm. This is not the time for a full chronicle of his prophetic witness but let it be said: it takes grace and deep spiritual resources to stand unwavering in the face of resistance. God’s grace and resilient courage have been hallmarks of Monsignor Harcourt’s fifty years of priestly dedication.
But shedding light is only one part of the story. Creating space for community and transformation is another. Under his
Most Reverend Charles Jason Gordon
leadership, the parish of Our Lady Queen of the Universe became a true gathering place. The cultural centre he helped develop became an open invitation to all— an incubator for participation, reflection, culture, sport, and shared dreams. Through this space, a vision for a renewed Barbadian society began to emerge, and the Church stood at the heart of that vision.
I recall meeting Fr. Harcourt for lunch while I was studying in London. He was then serving in Africa, leading a theological institute. Our conversation was long, deep, and filled with shared memories and insights. His ministry has spanned continents—from the Caribbean to England to Southern Africa, particularly Zambia—enriching him with a profound
sense of culture and a deep, incarnational Catholicism that makes him stand out.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI bestowed on him the title of Monsignor, a fitting recognition of his significant contributions to both the local and global Church. Later, he founded a community in Nigeria—the Friends of Jesus. Still in its infancy, this community embodies his dream of bridging the spiritual and cultural passage between Africa and the Caribbean.
During my time as Bishop of Bridgetown, Monsignor Harcourt served as my Vicar General. We worked closely together, dreaming of a Church rooted in prayer, forgiveness, gratitude, and hospitality— core values which we both cherished.
The Cathedral Immaculate Port of Spian,
Monsignor Harcourt is larger than life. He is a true son of Barbados and a faithful servant of the Roman Catholic Church. Over the years, he has distinguished himself as a prophetic voice, a man of deep faith, and a bearer of Bhajan culture. Monsignor, I wish you every blessing on the road ahead. As you look back, may you recognize and rejoice in the many graces that have shaped your journey. And as you look forward, may those graces inspire you to do even more extraordinary things in the years to come.
With deep gratitude,
Most Reverend Charles Jason Gordon Archbishop of Port of Spain
Cathedral of the Conception in Spian, Trinidad
TRIBUTE TO MONSIGNOR
VINCENT HARCOURT BLACKETT
The fact that Monsignor Vincent Harcourt Blackett was the first Bajan to be ordained a Roman Catholic priest in Barbados set him apart from the very beginning of his priestly life—50 years ago. His commitment to serving God’s people is unquestionable, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown salutes him for a contribution that extends outside the Catholic Church and beyond the borders of Barbados.
Demonstrating great trust in God and obedience to His call, Monsignor Vincent is today earnestly at work in the vineyard of Africa at an age when many people prefer to embrace retirement. His intense connection to that continent
is more than a matter of heritage: it is a soul response to an encounter with God and with the people there. His missionary work in Zambia, Nigeria and Ghana has helped form seminarians and prepare them for ordination, all of this through his Barbadosborn Friends of Jesus Missionary Society. He is truly an inspiration and his missionary zeal admirable.
“Monsignor Vincent has been a proper ambassador of Christ, and a blessing to the cultural, social and spiritual fabric of Barbados.”
Rev. Neil Scantlebury
Here in Barbados, Monsignor Vincent remains a beloved son of the soil and of the Diocese of Bridgetown, again because of that zeal which propels him to reach out and beyond. He has made laudable efforts to promote ecumenism, the unity among Christians for which Jesus Christ prayed (John 17:21). His invaluable work with the Barbados Christian Council and the Caribbean Conference of Churches helped bridge the Christian divide—locally and regionally—by fostering dialogue, shared worship and collaboration.
Over the years, Monsignor Vincent has braved controversy. He tackled the seeming separation between Church and culture, bringing cultural elements into
the liturgical life of the Church and taking the Church into new cultural spaces, among them Crop Over. His pioneering foray cleared the way for others to follow.
Beyond the Church, Monsignor Vincent has been a respected national figure, participating in civic life and advocating for social justice. In various spheres, he has shared the Gospel message and raised the profile of the Catholic Church.Sandra Clarke
All in all, Monsignor Vincent has been a proper ambassador of Christ, and a blessing to the cultural, social and spiritual fabric of Barbados.
As Bishop of Bridgetown, I give thanks to God for the ministry of Monsignor Vincent. May his bold and faithful witness continue to inspire new generations to love and serve the Lord, and to become friends of Jesus.
On behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown, I extend heartfelt congratulations to you
Monsignor Vincent on your golden jubilee. May God continue to bless you and your ministry. And, may St Patrick, patron saint of our Diocese, pray for you.
Sincerely Yours in Christ
The
Most Rev. Neil
Scantlebury Bishop of Bridgetown
St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Bridgetown, Barbados
From Pulpit to People: Celebrating Monsignor Blackett’s Golden Jubilee
By Deanzer Roberts
For half a century, Monsignor Vincent Blackett has walked in faithful service to God and the people of Barbados, with a ministry marked by deep humility, a reverence for the Word, and a profound love for culture. As he celebrates 50 years in the priesthood, fellow clergyman and longtime friend Father Clement Paul reflects on a journey defined by dedication, discipline, and divine purpose.
Their paths crossed long before they donned priestly robes. Father Paul recalls meeting Blackett during his early days
working with the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge. “Even before we became Roman Catholics, we connected,” he shared. Our paths kept intersecting through mutual friendships, ministry, and community service,” he recalls. Their bond would deepen over the years through shared friendships and spiritual calling. “We both trained in Trinidad—he was a year ahead of me and we returned home around the same time, eventually working together in the same parishes.”
Their shared ministry began in Black Rock at Our Lady Queen of the Universe, a parish close to Monsignor Blackett’s heart, having grown up in the community. “He was born there and ordained to serve there. It was his foundation,” Paul recalls. Our Lady Queen of the Universe, the parish where Monsignor Blackett was baptized, ordained, and later served became both a spiritual home and a symbolic cornerstone of his ministry. From there, his pastoral reach extended to Our Lady of Sorrows in St. Peter and eventually to administrative roles at the Cathedral and St. Patrick’s, where the two priests would later serve together as co-administrators at the Cathedral of St. Patrick’s, a collaboration marked by mutual respect and commitment to the Church.
Yet his leadership was never just about position. It was about presence. He led by example, through study, worship, and a quiet, unwavering devotion to service. “He’s a priest who lives what he teaches. He reveres the
Mass. He reveres the Bible. And he has never stopped growing spiritually or intellectually,” Father Paul notes.
Describing Monsignor Blackett’s priestly style, Father Paul points to a man rooted in the liturgy and the Word. “His passion has always been the Church, worship, and the Bible. He continues to study and teach the scriptures with the same fervor he had decades ago.”
His lifelong passion for the Holy Scriptures became a defining feature of his priesthood. Even today, Monsignor Blackett continues to explore biblical texts with an inquisitive and prayerful mind. But perhaps equally defining is his love for culture, a priest unafraid to embrace the pulse of his people. “He always valued Barbadian identity,” says Father Paul. “He believed in bringing culture and Church together not in conflict, but in conversation.”
But Monsignor Blackett’s influence extends beyond the pulpit. A passionate advocate for Barbadian culture, he embraced local traditions and celebrated national identity. “He loved the culture so much that he even supported costume bands,” Father Paul laughs warmly, noting how rare it is to see a priest so immersed in the vibrancy of national festivals.
That passion for unity extended internationally led him to Ireland, where he studied ecumenism, the call for Christian harmony. Later, he took this wisdom to Zambia, where he taught at the university level, leaving a legacy that reached far beyond the Caribbean shores.
After years of parish leadership in Barbados, Monsignor Blackett journeyed to Ireland to study ecumenism, a commitment to unity among Christian denominations. He later shared this knowledge with students in Zambia, where he taught ecumenism at the university level, further cementing his global spiritual footprint.
“
He has touched many lives, including mine. Through his ministry, through his care, through his concern—he’s made a lasting difference.”
Still, he always came home. And perhaps that is the most beautiful part of his story: no matter how far he travelled, spiritually, academically, or geographically Monsignor Vincent Blackett never stopped being a shepherd to his people.
For Father Paul, the essence of Monsignor Blackett’s enduring ministry lies in his unwavering love—for the Church, for scripture, for people, and for God. “He has touched many lives, including mine. Through his ministry, through his care, through his concern— he’s made a lasting difference.”
As Monsignor Blackett marks this milestone, Father Paul offers heartfelt prayers of gratitude and blessing. “I join with others in praising and thanking God for the gift of his priesthood. Barbados is richer because of him.” “He has served with integrity. He has given himself to God, the Church, and to us. And I am honoured to have served alongside him.”
On this joyful occasion of your 50th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination, I extend heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Monsignor
Harcourt Blackett
.
For five decades, you have faithfully answered the Lord’s call, ministering to His people with compassion, wisdom, and unwavering dedication. Your priestly journey has been a true reflection of Christ’s love—touching lives, building community, and preserving the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of our Church.
As your bishop and brother in Christ, I thank you for your years of steadfast service and spiritual leadership. May God continue to bless you with strength, peace, and the joy that comes from a life lived in faithful service to His Kingdom.
With prayerful best wishes,
Neil Scantlebury Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown
“I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
THE EARLY YEARS
From Indian Ground to Sacred Ground
by Christopher Williams
Monsignor Vincent Blackett's life stands as a powerful testament to his unwavering devotion to God and humanity. From his ordination on August 15, 1975, to his dedicated missionary work in Nigeria, his journey exemplifies a life driven by purpose and compassion. His leadership of the Friends of Jesus Missionary Society, a religious congregation composed of young
men studying for the priesthood within the Roman Catholic Church, highlights his commitment to fostering faith and service among future priests. Throughout his life, Monsignor Blackett has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals, inspiring others through his selfless service, spiritual guidance, and unwavering dedication to spreading the message of love and hope. His legacy continues to resonate, inspiring generations to serve with humility and purpose.
Roots Run Deep: A Boy of Two Parishes
Vincent Harcourt Blackett was born in the rural district of Indian Ground, situated in the northern parish of Barbados. He is the second child of Myrtle Blackett and Harcourt Weekes. From his early years, Vincent displayed a strong sense of faith and determination, eventually making history as the first Barbadian to be ordained a Catholic priest. His educational journey began at All Saints Boys Primary School, after which he attended Alleyne Secondary School from 1960 to 1965. Growing up in the parishes of St. Peter and St. Andrew, Vincent’s roots were deeply connected to both communities—his mother hailed from St. Peter, while his father was from St. Andrew. He proudly embraces both parishes as his home, and each continues
A youthful Harcourt Blackett as a student in Zambia, Canada
Photo on left: Fr Harcourt’s ordination in 1975. Here he lays prostrate on the floor of St Patrick’s Cathedral, with altar server Neil Scantlebury, now Bishop Neil Scantlebury as those in attendance pray the Litany
to claim him as one of their own, reflecting the deep ties that shaped his identity and life.
Cricket, Scooters, and Scout Adventures
Cricket is an integral part of the upbringing for most young boys, including Monsignor Vincent Blackett. Using discarded wood and ball bearings, he would team up with the boys in his village to craft scooters. However, scouting was his greatest hobby. He enjoyed outdoor camping, hiking, and doing “bob-a-jobs”—a community activity where scouts offered to do small jobs to raise funds. Even as an adult, Vincent continues to engage in scouting activities whenever he gets the opportunity.
A Healing Hands Lead to Higher Calling
fter completing secondary school, Vincent developed an interest in Medical Technology and secured employment at the state-owned Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He also worked at St. Joseph Hospital, operated by the Our Lady of Sorrows of the Catholic Church. As a young adult, he attended retreats hosted by the nuns of the Holy Ghost Order. It was during a retreat led by Trinidadian priest Fr. Anthony Pantin—who would later become an Archbishop—that Vincent’s
spirit was stirred with the calling to become a priest. Fr. Pantin became his mentor and spiritual guide.
A Mentor’s Voice Changes Everything:
Ordination
In 1968, Vincent joined the Holy Ghost congregation in Trinidad, where he began his discernment for priesthood. He pursued studies at the Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs, Mount St. Benedict, St. Augustine, Trinidad. In 1974, he furthered his education at the Toronto School of Theology, studying Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). On August 15, 1975, the boy from Indian Ground entered St. Patrick Roman Catholic Cathedral to take his priestly vows, witnessed by a large and jubilant congregation.
By Christopher Wiliams
Monsignor
Vincent Blackett can be readily described as a multi-faceted priest who operated well beyond the confines of the churchyard. He is a man deeply committed to the church, community, and nation. His approach to pastoral care often broke several conservative norms of the Catholic Church. He was innovative in integrating elements of Afro-Caribbean culture into the liturgy of his Masses, often favoring up-tempo Caribbean music during worship. One of his most notable
Photo: Members of the Barbados Dance Theatre, dancing at Fr. Harcourt’s ordination August 15, 1975. It was the first dance ever to take place in a church in Barbados.
and initially controversial innovations was liturgical dancing. At his ordination on August 15, 1975, dancers from the Barbados Dance Theatre performed a worship dance—marking the first time such an activity was conducted within the Catholic Church in Barbados. As parish priest of Our Lady Queen of the Universe at
Black Rock, St. Michael, he frequently incorporated performance art and cultural expressions into worship services.
“He was innovative in integrating elements of AfroCaribbean culture into the liturgy of his Masses, often favoring up-tempo Caribbean music during worship. One of his most notable and initially controversial innovations was liturgical dancing.
Monsignor Blackett is also a PanAfricanist and a fierce advocate for social justice. He managed the Black Rock Cultural Centre, which became a vibrant hub for lectures, discussions, and cultural shows. Many academics, politicians, and historians delivered presentations to large audiences at the Centre. Notably, Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, during his time at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, was often an attendee at events organized by Monsignor Vincent. The Centre also hosted performances by top local and international entertainers. At a national level, it served as a venue for events organized by the National Cultural Foundation, especially during the annual National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA).
As a passionate advocate for social justice, Monsignor Blackett was unafraid to speak out on major national social and political issues, articulating his positions fearlessly and without hesitation. He also hosted weekly radio programs and contributed columns to leading newspapers, using these platforms to voice his views. Barbados’ major cultural festival, Crop Over, which was modernized in 1974, celebrates traditions, folklore, and the arts. Monsignor was a strong supporter of this festival, facilitating calypso tents at the Black Rock Cultural Centre, where hundreds would gather to enjoy performances by popular calypso artists. One of the most iconic features of Crop Over is the Grand Kadooment street parade of masquerade bands. Historically, churches in Barbados had avoided supporting or participating in the event due to its sometimes wildabandonment and revealing costumes. Challenging this status quo, Monsignor Blackett launched his own Grand Kadooment in 1988. This courageous move demonstrated his understanding of ministry—just as Jesus was among the people, he too sought to connect with and serve his community beyond the pulpit.
Modern liturgical dancing, now an appreciated expression of Catholic worship in the Caribbean
To Monsignor Vincent on your Golden Jubilee.
From the entire Chickmont Foods Ltd. family, thank you for your decades of faith and guidance.
Fr Harcourt at the National stadium playing as Bishop Tutu of South Africa in the Deacons Community Band in 1987
“What first started as one house in Nigeria has now branched out to Ethiopia as well as to the Congo, where other new houses of his have been established.”
Matthew Landis
one now Ethiopia of established.”
UNITY IN COMMUNITY IS MONSIGNOR’S MISSION
By Matthew Landis
Over the last few decades, we have seen new young and vibrant communities with their own particular charisms and apostolates sprouting and blossoming within the Catholic world. Yet more recently, we Barbadians have now been able to boast that we have as one of the founders of these communities our very own Monsignor Vincent Harcourt Blackett (more commonly known as Fr. Harcourt, or by others simply as ‘Monsignor’).
As many of us are aware by now, Monsignor had discerned a call from God to return to his African roots to be a missionary, to spread the Gospel far and wide in the land in which his ancestors walked. In Nigeria, where he has been for the most part, he was able to recruit young men to the ranks to be the first members of his missionary community, ‘Friends of Jesus Missionary Society’ that has for its charism the evangelization of youth through education. Other special characteristics of his community’s charism are unity and universality.
Yet what first started as one house in Nigeria has now branched out to Ethiopia as well as to the Congo, where other new houses of his have been established.
In light of this development, it sure does seem that his dreams about having a religious community with a universal character are materializing.
Monsignor’s commitment to his community has been unwavering in spite of his age and health. For example, while he was temporarily residing in Barbados for some months through 2024 to 2025 for medical reasons, there was many a time where he was up conversing with his brothers in Africa while we were peacefully sleeping in the presbytery. He knew he had to tend to the administrative and pastoral needs of his community, and nothing was to get in the way of that. Not even
sleep. We can certainly appreciate the sacrifices he has made for the building up of God’s kingdom here on earth.
What has also been noteworthy is the unity within his community. For example, the brothers look up to Monsignor as their father and he likewise affectionately calls them his sons. A clear sign of unity. Seeing this unity brings to mind the words of the psalmist, “How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live in unity!” (Psalm 132.1). Unity is what our world needs so desperately perhaps more than ever before, in light of all the fragmentation and discord troubling our world today. It was in light of such factors that our Pope Leo XIV, who Monsignor is also quite fond of, voiced his desire in his enthronement speech for the Church to be “a sign unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.” We therefore can only salute Monsignor and his community for showing to the world what the Christian cause is through their bond of unity.
As Monsignor approaches his Golden Jubilee this year, 50 years as a priest, let us celebrate with him the accomplishments that Our Lord has been able to work through him through his generous selfgiving and for the work he has done for this diocese and for those distant regions in Africa. May God bless him, and be with him, supporting him and guiding him in all his endeavors.
Monsignor Vincent Blackett on Palm Sunday
Matthew Landis in Mass
Silver Jubilee Celebrations in Zambia
Sisters of St John the Baptist join Fr celebrates his 25th Anniversary in the
Sister of John the Baptist: Sister presenting a gift to Fr. Harcourt
Nuns at the Mass: Sisters of St John the Baptist join Fr Harcourt as he celebrates
Monsignor Vincent Blackett follows the lead of Commander Roland Glikes in the yard of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Cathedral shortly after a Thanksgiving Mass in November 2015.
In 2025, Monsignor
Vincent Harcourt Blackett celebrates a noteworthy milestone, 50 years of priestly service. A towering figure in the Caribbean Catholic community, Monsignor Blackett has spent five decades walking between pulpit and pavement, bridging tradition and transformation, prayer and protest, faith and festival.
Born and raised in Barbados, he carries the rhythm of the island in his voice and the heartbeat of Barbadian people in his ministry. Yet his priesthood has never been confined by borders. His priestly calling has taken him across continents, cultures, and causes, each chapter deepening his mission to make the Church relevant, radical, and rooted in the lives of the people it serves.
Monsignor Blackett was ordained on August 15, 1975, at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, and began his pastoral journey at Our Lady Queen of the Universe in Black Rock, St. Michael. From the start, he made it clear, this would not be a quiet priesthood. His sermons rang with truth, his presence brought comfort, and his vision of a Church that embraced Afro-Caribbean identity made waves that rippled far beyond the sanctuary.
His ministry soon expanded to the United Kingdom, where he spent five years in Birmingham and London, teaching and serving immigrant congregations navigating post-colonial realities. Later, he answered another call, to go to Zambia, where he worked as Coordinator for Ecumenical Leadership and Development at the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation. There, amidst the stirrings of Pan-African consciousness, he helped develop leaders who saw no conflict between Christian faith and African pride.
Nigeria followed, where he ministered to diverse communities, emphasizing dignity, cultural ownership, and the liberating message of the Gospel.
His work was pastoral, yes, but also prophetic, challenging the erasure of African identities in global Christianity.
Two decades later, Monsignor Blackett returned to Barbados, bringing home a ministry shaped by global struggle and spiritual fire. In the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown, he served in key leadership roles, including Vicar General, providing not just governance but guidance, mentorship, and voice to the voiceless. In 2020, he was appointed priest-in-charge of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Canouan, in the Southern Grenadines. This was a return to familiar soil; his relationship with St. Vincent and the Grenadines began in his student years, where time spent with the Scarboro Fathers had rooted him deeply in the spiritual terrain of the region.
“
Christ belongs to everyone, and in the Caribbean, He looks like us.”
Courage has always been a hallmark of Monsignor Blackett’s ministry. In an act both artistic and revolutionary, he installed a dark-skinned depiction of Jesus in his church—an image that challenged colonial iconography and affirmed the Black body as sacred. It was a visual sermon in itself, “Christ belongs to everyone, and in the Caribbean, He looks like us”.
This same spirit of cultural reclamation led him to found the Walk Holy Kadooment Band, a very bold move at that time, introducing the Catholic Church into the Barbados’ Crop Over festival. Where others
Monsignor Vincent and the late Lord High Admiral Vernon Watson in conversation at the start of the parade to the St.Patrick Roman Catholic Cathedral for a Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the Barbados Landship.
saw contradiction, Monsignor Blackett saw opportunity, Walk Holy became a space where faith danced, sang, and celebrated in the open air—unapologetically Caribbean and unmistakably spiritual.
His evangelistic reach also extended through the founding of the FRIENDS OF JESUS Congregation, a lay movement committed to supporting Church missions throughout the Caribbean and wherever the need arose. Their work blends prayer, service, and cultural consciousness, the hallmarks of Monsignor Blackett’s theology of active faith.
“Monsignor Blackett is currently preparing to release a provocative written work titled: “Beyond the Boundary: Mekkin’ Jesus a Nigga Man.”
A thinker as much as a pastor, Monsignor Blackett is currently preparing to release
a provocative written work titled: “Beyond the Boundary: Mekkin’ Jesus a Nigga Man.” The title alone dares the reader to rethink race, reverence, and representation. It is part memoir, part manifesto, a piece of work that, like its author, refuses to separate Blackness from Holiness.
As Monsignor Blackett celebrates this milestone in his priesthood, his legacy shines with courage, creativity, and compassion. He has walked with the people, challenged the status quo, and made space for Caribbean people to see themselves reflected in the divine. In the words of one community leader “Monsignor Blackett didn’t just preach to us, he walked with us. He made the Church feel like home for everyone.”
In the Roman Catholic church , he will always be remembered for having a spiritual ministry that welcomes all, a faith that celebrates with all, and a legacy that lives on in every drumbeat and every procession born from the Caribbean soil.
Portrait of Jesus as a Caribbean man
With hearts full of gratitude and joy, we join in celebrating Monsignor Harcourt Blackett on the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination.
For 50 years, he has faithfully served the Church and community — not only as a spiritual shepherd, but also as a passionate advocate for our culture and heritage. Through his dedication to liturgical traditions, the arts, and historical preservation, he has kept the flame of our identity burning brightly.
We give thanks for his unwavering devotion, compassionate leadership, and enduring commitment to nurturing both faith and culture in every life he touches.
Congratulations and blessings, Monsignor, on your remarkable milestone.
May your legacy continue to inspire generations to come.
“A priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
Psalm 110:4
Monsignor Harcourt Blackett
Reflections
The lecture given by Prime Minister of St Vincent and Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves on August 31st 2015 celebrate Monsignor’s 40th Anniversary to the priesthood
The trio, sharing a light moment after the lecture which was presented by Dr The Rt. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves at the Black Rock Cultural Centre.
From left to right, Dr. The Hon Anthony “Gabby” Carter, Dr The Rt. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Monsignor Blackett
eflections
the to priesthood
Rosemary Alleyne standing with Monsignor Blackett after the attending the lecture presented by Dr The Rt. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines
Monsignor Harcourt Blackett
Monsignor Vincent Blackett meets with the Hon. Colin Jordan, Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector
Former Dean of St Michael’s Cathedral and All Angels, Harold Crichlow, deceased, in conversation with Monsignor Harcourt Blackett
Long time friends, Communications Officer in the Diocese of Bridgetown, Christopher Williams and Monsignor Blackett took this photo during Monsignor’s most recent visit to Barbados
Monsignor Harcourt Blackett
fRiends of Jesus
Monsignor, now resident in Ibadan, Nigeria has created a missionary called Friends of Jesus Missionary Society, he stands here with the young men as they prepare for missionary work.
FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE
by Deanzer Roberts
Fifty years ago, a young Vincent Blackett answered a sacred call — one that would take him on a lifelong journey of faith, leadership, and compassionate service. Now, as Monsignor Vincent Blackett marks half a century in the priesthood, the Catholic community in Barbados and beyond pauses to celebrate the life and legacy of a man who has become a pillar of spiritual strength, cultural pride, and pastoral care.
Ordained in 1975, Monsignor Blackett was among a new generation of local clergy at a time when the Caribbean was still shaping its post-colonial identity — and the Church was playing a major role in guiding people through social, economic, and spiritual transitions. From the very beginning, he was known not only for his deep commitment to Christ but also for his eloquence, humility, and ability to relate to people from all walks of life.
Over the years, he has served in several parishes across Barbados, including as parish priest at Our Lady Queen of the Universe in Black Rock, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Bridgetown, and St. Dominic’s in Maxwell. His ministry has been marked by a unique blend of intellectual depth and pastoral tenderness.
Monsignor Vincent Blackett & Deacon George Waithe. Monsignor was the main celebrant at the Palm Sunday Procession and Mass of the St.Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral while on a recent visit to Barbados.
Monsignor Vincent Blackett during a Palm Sunday procession through the community of Deacons Road gives a palm to the lady.
Whether delivering homilies, visiting the sick, mentoring young clergy, or standing with families in their moments of grief and joy, Monsignor Blackett has always embodied the Church’s mission of presence, purpose, and peace.
In addition to his parish responsibilities, he also served with distinction as Vicar General and played an integral role in regional ecclesiastical affairs, representing Barbados in various capacities throughout the Antilles Episcopal Conference. His service has earned him the respect of his peers, the admiration of his congregants, and the recognition of the
At a service on Holy Thursday Monsignor reenacts the washing of the feet as Jesus did to his disciples.
Vatican — including his elevation to the title of Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI.
But ask him about his greatest achievement, and he is likely to speak not of titles or honours, but of people — the lives he’s touched, the souls he’s helped guide, the communities he’s watched grow in faith. Monsignor Blackett has often said that being a priest is not about being above others, but walking with them.
Those who know him best describe him as a man of wisdom and wit, who brings reverence and warmth to every Mass, and who has the rare ability to challenge the conscience while comforting the heart. His sermons, both powerful and poetic, continue to inspire reflection and renewal.
As he celebrates 50 years of priestly ministry, Monsignor Blackett remains active in the life of the Church, still passionate about sharing the Gospel and shepherding the flock entrusted to him. His legacy is not just written in parish records or church walls — it lives in the hearts of those he has baptized, married, counselled, buried, and blessed.
The golden jubilee of Monsignor Vincent Blackett is a milestone not just for the man himself, but for the entire Church in Barbados. It is a moment to give thanks — for a life poured out in service, a heart anchored in Christ, and a voice that has echoed the hope of the Gospel for fifty faithful years.
We extend heartfelt congratulations to Monsignor Vincent Harcourt Blackett on the joyous occasion of his Golden Jubilee in the priesthood.
We recognise your service to many in Barbados, your years at Our Lady Queen of the Universe, St Patricks Roman Catholic Cathedral, in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and presently in Ibadan Nigeria. Your ministry has been a beacon of hope, a source of strength and a testament to the enduring power of faith and service.
Thank you for your spiritual leadership, tireless work in the community and role in preserving cultural and moral heritage.
Congratulations on 50 remarkable years of priestly service!
